This is a blog about an adoptee and the hurdles that she faces. Life is always interesting.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

JUST WHAT ARE THE STANDARDS FOR ADOPTION AGENCIES?

I have been curious about the standards that the COA accredits adoption agencies. I began wondering also about the other two organizations, the JCICS and the NCFA. What are their standards for their member agencies as well?

What made me start thinking of this is of course the recent Russian adoptee death. I am also reading "Ethics in American Adoption" by L. Anne Babb. Two points have been brought up while reading this book. What is the clear definition of the client being served in adoption? There is none and that was one of the points that the author made. Another point was of course ethics and best practices in adoption. Conflict of interests in adoption is another one as well too. There is no clear definition in the practice of adoption with representation for both the natural parents and the adoptive parents.

We all need to understand what these organizations are really trying to do. They don't seek to protect us but themselves. I want to understand how they are able to get around the laws and the ethics.

1 comment:

Personally I wouldn't bother with JCICS or NCFA... if you are looking at enforceable standards. If an agency joins these organizations they promise to behave in a certain manner. But there aren't any penalties if they don't follow the code of contact.

In the United States there are two regulatory bodies that can make adoption agencies "behave". The first one is the state government that licensed them. And every state has different rules. The easiest state to become licensed is in PA. I know people who avoid PA adoption agencies for this very reason.

The second body is the COA which only governs agencies who sign up for Hague accreditation. There are many agencies that don't have to (because they are working in a country that doesn't require it).

About Me

I can't believe that I am doing this again. I am a Christian. I only become bible thumping when an individual misquotes or misinterprets the bible. Don't ever underestimate me. I am a wife to a wonderful man who is my super hero. I am the mother of five kids now. Two are grown with families of their own. I have three teenage girls. Oh Lord the hormones!

Yes I am an adoptee. It is not all that I am but it plays a key role in who I am. I am not a grateful adoptee but God did place me with a great family.

Currently I am attending college in Houston at a great community college. It is called Houston Community College. Ever heard of it? My goals are to attend Prairie View A & M and become a nurse. I want my bachelors and my masters. I am down to my last semester at HCC. Sadly an individual needs capital letters behind their name in order to be taken seriously

I also have two great dogs, Charlie and Maci, and Lady Spazz, our delightfully queenly feline. I am hoping to convince a wonderful black stray cat to allow us to become owned by her as well. Time will tell. She has already inspected our garage.

I am also a gardener now that my husband and I own our home in Katy, Texas. I love hibiscus flowers, roses, and lily daturas. My kids will tell you that it is mainly hibiscus. I have giants as well as normal ones. I also want another snow Hibiscus.

Welcome and enjoy. I should warn you that I have mellowed some but do not be misunderstood. I believe in adoptee rights period.